Dakhla Hosts the Second Ilaf International Sufism Forum on Spiritual Leadership, Religious Moderation
The city of Dakhla in southern Morocco hosted the second edition of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum, held from 24 to 26 July 2026 under the theme 'The Institution of the Commander of the Faithful and Its Renewed Spiritual Roles.' The event was organized by the Ilaf International Sufism Association in the Dakhla–Oued Eddahab region in partnership with the Regional Council of Islamic Scholars and the Regional Delegation of Islamic Affairs.
The forum coincided with Morocco's annual Throne Day celebrations and formed part of broader initiatives aimed at promoting Islamic scholarship, spiritual education, and the values of moderation and coexistence.
The three-day event brought together leading scholars, researchers, academics, and specialists in Islamic studies and Sufism, alongside a large public audience. Discussions focused on the role of Morocco's religious institutions in preserving religious stability, promoting balanced interpretations of Islam, and responding to contemporary social and ethical challenges.
Activities began on 24 July with the arrival of participants from different regions of Morocco, followed by an opening ceremony in which Ahmed Msida, Director of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum, highlighted the importance of strengthening scholarly dialogue around the country's religious heritage and its contribution to national cohesion and spiritual stability.
The forum's main academic conference was held on Saturday, 25 July, at the Agricultural Chamber Hall in Dakhla, attracting a large audience. Scholars presented papers examining Morocco's model of religious governance, particularly the institution known as the Commander of the Faithful, which serves as the country's highest religious authority and plays a central role in preserving religious unity, overseeing Islamic affairs, and promoting moderate religious discourse.
Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak, a scholar specializing in Islamic thought and Sufism, described Dakhla as an appropriate venue for such a gathering because of its historical significance and cultural openness. He argued that Morocco's religious governance model has contributed to preserving doctrinal unity while encouraging tolerance, coexistence, and constructive engagement with contemporary issues such as education, migration, environmental responsibility, and sustainable development.
Dr. Adnan Zahar, a member of the Local Council of Islamic Scholars in El Jadida, emphasized that Morocco's longstanding religious framework has helped maintain institutional continuity and social stability by providing a unified religious reference capable of countering extremist interpretations and ideological fragmentation.
In his presentation, Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour explored the spiritual dimension of Morocco's religious leadership, highlighting its support for ethical education, spiritual refinement, and religious scholarship. He stressed that Sunni Sufism seeks to cultivate moral character and spiritual discipline and that Sufi institutions continue to play an important educational role in cooperation with official religious bodies.
Throughout the forum, participants attended a series of scholarly sessions addressing themes such as the methodology of Sufi biographical literature, the intellectual foundations of mystical poetry, the principles of spiritual guidance within Sufi traditions, and governance and ethical accountability in Sufi institutions. These discussions encouraged academic exchange and contributed to ongoing research in Islamic thought and spirituality.
The programme also included a major evening dedicated to devotional poetry and spiritual music. It opened with performances of traditional Hassani praise poetry, reflecting the distinctive religious heritage of Morocco's southern regions, followed by devotional chanting led by Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak and the Al-Dhakireen Ensemble. The gathering celebrated the spiritual traditions of remembrance, praise of the Prophet Muhammad, and Islamic devotional arts.
On the final day, participants visited the Qadiriyya Msidiyya Zawiya, where they met its spiritual leader, Sheikh Sidi Al-Hafid Msida. During the visit, they attended Qur'anic recitations, devotional gatherings, and presentations on initiatives aimed at promoting Qur'anic education, including plans for the establishment of a new Qur'anic centre dedicated to teaching and memorization.
Participants also praised the organizational efforts of Ahmed Msida, President of the Ilaf International Sufism Association, whose coordination and leadership contributed to the success of the event and strengthened Dakhla's growing profile as a venue for international religious and academic dialogue.
The forum concluded with two public religious lectures delivered in local mosques by Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour and Dr. Adnan Zahar, focusing on Islamic ethics and the Prophetic tradition and attracting large congregations.
In their closing statement, participants described the forum as an important platform for scholarly exchange and spiritual dialogue. They emphasized the continuing contribution of Sunni Sufism to ethical education, social cohesion, and the promotion of moderate Islamic values, while highlighting Morocco's experience in fostering religious stability and encouraging dialogue between Islamic scholarship and contemporary society.
The city of Dakhla in southern Morocco hosted the second edition of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum, held from 24 to 26 July 2026 under the theme 'The Institution of the Commander of the Faithful and Its Renewed Spiritual Roles.' The event was organized by the Ilaf International Sufism Association in the Dakhla–Oued Eddahab region in partnership with the Regional Council of Islamic Scholars and the Regional Delegation of Islamic Affairs.
The forum coincided with Morocco's annual Throne Day celebrations and formed part of broader initiatives aimed at promoting Islamic scholarship, spiritual education, and the values of moderation and coexistence.
The three-day event brought together leading scholars, researchers, academics, and specialists in Islamic studies and Sufism, alongside a large public audience. Discussions focused on the role of Morocco's religious institutions in preserving religious stability, promoting balanced interpretations of Islam, and responding to contemporary social and ethical challenges.
Activities began on 24 July with the arrival of participants from different regions of Morocco, followed by an opening ceremony in which Ahmed Msida, Director of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum, highlighted the importance of strengthening scholarly dialogue around the country's religious heritage and its contribution to national cohesion and spiritual stability.
The forum's main academic conference was held on Saturday, 25 July, at the Agricultural Chamber Hall in Dakhla, attracting a large audience. Scholars presented papers examining Morocco's model of religious governance, particularly the institution known as the Commander of the Faithful, which serves as the country's highest religious authority and plays a central role in preserving religious unity, overseeing Islamic affairs, and promoting moderate religious discourse.
Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak, a scholar specializing in Islamic thought and Sufism, described Dakhla as an appropriate venue for such a gathering because of its historical significance and cultural openness. He argued that Morocco's religious governance model has contributed to preserving doctrinal unity while encouraging tolerance, coexistence, and constructive engagement with contemporary issues such as education, migration, environmental responsibility, and sustainable development.
Dr. Adnan Zahar, a member of the Local Council of Islamic Scholars in El Jadida, emphasized that Morocco's longstanding religious framework has helped maintain institutional continuity and social stability by providing a unified religious reference capable of countering extremist interpretations and ideological fragmentation.
In his presentation, Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour explored the spiritual dimension of Morocco's religious leadership, highlighting its support for ethical education, spiritual refinement, and religious scholarship. He stressed that Sunni Sufism seeks to cultivate moral character and spiritual discipline and that Sufi institutions continue to play an important educational role in cooperation with official religious bodies.
Throughout the forum, participants attended a series of scholarly sessions addressing themes such as the methodology of Sufi biographical literature, the intellectual foundations of mystical poetry, the principles of spiritual guidance within Sufi traditions, and governance and ethical accountability in Sufi institutions. These discussions encouraged academic exchange and contributed to ongoing research in Islamic thought and spirituality.
The programme also included a major evening dedicated to devotional poetry and spiritual music. It opened with performances of traditional Hassani praise poetry, reflecting the distinctive religious heritage of Morocco's southern regions, followed by devotional chanting led by Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak and the Al-Dhakireen Ensemble. The gathering celebrated the spiritual traditions of remembrance, praise of the Prophet Muhammad, and Islamic devotional arts.
On the final day, participants visited the Qadiriyya Msidiyya Zawiya, where they met its spiritual leader, Sheikh Sidi Al-Hafid Msida. During the visit, they attended Qur'anic recitations, devotional gatherings, and presentations on initiatives aimed at promoting Qur'anic education, including plans for the establishment of a new Qur'anic centre dedicated to teaching and memorization.
Participants also praised the organizational efforts of Ahmed Msida, President of the Ilaf International Sufism Association, whose coordination and leadership contributed to the success of the event and strengthened Dakhla's growing profile as a venue for international religious and academic dialogue.
The forum concluded with two public religious lectures delivered in local mosques by Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour and Dr. Adnan Zahar, focusing on Islamic ethics and the Prophetic tradition and attracting large congregations.
In their closing statement, participants described the forum as an important platform for scholarly exchange and spiritual dialogue. They emphasized the continuing contribution of Sunni Sufism to ethical education, social cohesion, and the promotion of moderate Islamic values, while highlighting Morocco's experience in fostering religious stability and encouraging dialogue between Islamic scholarship and contemporary society.
The city of Dakhla in southern Morocco hosted the second edition of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum, held from 24 to 26 July 2026 under the theme 'The Institution of the Commander of the Faithful and Its Renewed Spiritual Roles.' The event was organized by the Ilaf International Sufism Association in the Dakhla–Oued Eddahab region in partnership with the Regional Council of Islamic Scholars and the Regional Delegation of Islamic Affairs.
The forum coincided with Morocco's annual Throne Day celebrations and formed part of broader initiatives aimed at promoting Islamic scholarship, spiritual education, and the values of moderation and coexistence.
The three-day event brought together leading scholars, researchers, academics, and specialists in Islamic studies and Sufism, alongside a large public audience. Discussions focused on the role of Morocco's religious institutions in preserving religious stability, promoting balanced interpretations of Islam, and responding to contemporary social and ethical challenges.
Activities began on 24 July with the arrival of participants from different regions of Morocco, followed by an opening ceremony in which Ahmed Msida, Director of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum, highlighted the importance of strengthening scholarly dialogue around the country's religious heritage and its contribution to national cohesion and spiritual stability.
The forum's main academic conference was held on Saturday, 25 July, at the Agricultural Chamber Hall in Dakhla, attracting a large audience. Scholars presented papers examining Morocco's model of religious governance, particularly the institution known as the Commander of the Faithful, which serves as the country's highest religious authority and plays a central role in preserving religious unity, overseeing Islamic affairs, and promoting moderate religious discourse.
Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak, a scholar specializing in Islamic thought and Sufism, described Dakhla as an appropriate venue for such a gathering because of its historical significance and cultural openness. He argued that Morocco's religious governance model has contributed to preserving doctrinal unity while encouraging tolerance, coexistence, and constructive engagement with contemporary issues such as education, migration, environmental responsibility, and sustainable development.
Dr. Adnan Zahar, a member of the Local Council of Islamic Scholars in El Jadida, emphasized that Morocco's longstanding religious framework has helped maintain institutional continuity and social stability by providing a unified religious reference capable of countering extremist interpretations and ideological fragmentation.
In his presentation, Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour explored the spiritual dimension of Morocco's religious leadership, highlighting its support for ethical education, spiritual refinement, and religious scholarship. He stressed that Sunni Sufism seeks to cultivate moral character and spiritual discipline and that Sufi institutions continue to play an important educational role in cooperation with official religious bodies.
Throughout the forum, participants attended a series of scholarly sessions addressing themes such as the methodology of Sufi biographical literature, the intellectual foundations of mystical poetry, the principles of spiritual guidance within Sufi traditions, and governance and ethical accountability in Sufi institutions. These discussions encouraged academic exchange and contributed to ongoing research in Islamic thought and spirituality.
The programme also included a major evening dedicated to devotional poetry and spiritual music. It opened with performances of traditional Hassani praise poetry, reflecting the distinctive religious heritage of Morocco's southern regions, followed by devotional chanting led by Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak and the Al-Dhakireen Ensemble. The gathering celebrated the spiritual traditions of remembrance, praise of the Prophet Muhammad, and Islamic devotional arts.
On the final day, participants visited the Qadiriyya Msidiyya Zawiya, where they met its spiritual leader, Sheikh Sidi Al-Hafid Msida. During the visit, they attended Qur'anic recitations, devotional gatherings, and presentations on initiatives aimed at promoting Qur'anic education, including plans for the establishment of a new Qur'anic centre dedicated to teaching and memorization.
Participants also praised the organizational efforts of Ahmed Msida, President of the Ilaf International Sufism Association, whose coordination and leadership contributed to the success of the event and strengthened Dakhla's growing profile as a venue for international religious and academic dialogue.
The forum concluded with two public religious lectures delivered in local mosques by Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour and Dr. Adnan Zahar, focusing on Islamic ethics and the Prophetic tradition and attracting large congregations.
In their closing statement, participants described the forum as an important platform for scholarly exchange and spiritual dialogue. They emphasized the continuing contribution of Sunni Sufism to ethical education, social cohesion, and the promotion of moderate Islamic values, while highlighting Morocco's experience in fostering religious stability and encouraging dialogue between Islamic scholarship and contemporary society.
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Dakhla Hosts the Second Ilaf International Sufism Forum on Spiritual Leadership, Religious Moderation
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